1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
an intractable child who deliberately does the opposite of whatever he is told
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
cats are by nature fairly intractable animals
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intractable
Growing up in close proximity to Los Angeles’s storied music venues was another intractable part of their youth.
—
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Why do so many problems facing the state seem so intractable?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Others, like lissencephaly, a severe brain condition, were non-lethal, but were marked by a short life of intractable seizures.
—Dr. Shelley Sella, Time, 11 June 2025
The fickle and slippery tastes of your consumers, the intractable pitch and yaw of global markets, and the complexity surrounding supply chains and bringing goods to the market.
—Christian Davies Fcsd, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Why do so many problems facing the state seem so intractable?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Others, like lissencephaly, a severe brain condition, were non-lethal, but were marked by a short life of intractable seizures.
—Dr. Shelley Sella, Time, 11 June 2025
The fickle and slippery tastes of your consumers, the intractable pitch and yaw of global markets, and the complexity surrounding supply chains and bringing goods to the market.
—Christian Davies Fcsd, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for intractable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intractable
Adjective
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From director James DeMonaco, creator of The Purge franchise, actor-comedian Davidson plays Max in The Home, a rebellious twenty-something sentenced to community service at a quiet retirement home.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
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The story follows rebellious young demigod Ne Zha, who wrestles with his powers and the threat of humanity’s destruction.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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One of the people that is most stubborn in their support of these spendy projects is Senator Todd Young, a Republican from Indiana.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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For indoor brick, keep it simple by trying a slightly damp brush to sweep away stubborn dirt.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Tucked in a corner of the dining room is what Price claims is the last photo ever taken of the rebel abolitionist John Brown, set in an ornate and rusted frame.—
Kevin Lozano,
New Yorker,
6 July 2025
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The bill passed in a vote Tuesday night but only after steep concessions to rebel lawmakers who opposed cuts to disability benefits.—
Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Florent, the restaurant, stayed open until 2008, when the rent became unmanageable; the building sold a few years later for $8.6 million.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
11 July 2025
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The most common reasons revolve around work-life balance, a lack of support and an unmanageable workload.—
Drew Gerber,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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On Monday, asked about the poll proposal at an unrelated event, Adams was defiant.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
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Trump's defiant response in Butler, Penn., may have fueled his big Election Day gains among male voters.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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This version of it will be complex, with significant power wielded by the United States and China but with major roles for other players, including an increasingly autonomous Europe, a recalcitrant Russia, and an ever more powerful India.—
REBECCA LISSNER,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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Pulled along by Valérie like a recalcitrant puppy, Richard sets off on a quest to find the missing man, who may have ties to the Sicilian Mafia.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Court records show Rahman pleaded guilty Jan. 17 to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified national defense information.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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Alsup ordered a trial in December to determine damages, which can reach up to $150,000 per case of willful copyright infringement.—
Lauren Harvey,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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These arachnids suck juices from the tomato plants and seemingly all of a sudden build large uncontrollable populations.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
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Despite months of meticulous planning, there will always be uncontrollable variables that require monitoring..—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intractable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intractable. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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